Fork Positioner Using Nested Hydraulic Assemblies

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fork positioners for lift truck carriages either increase the carriage dimensions, reducing load-carrying capacity or impair operator visibility, when detachably mounted on existing lift trucks.

Innovation Solution

A compact fork positioner using bidirectional hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies with a unique connector system and guide members that can be easily mounted between the upper and lower transverse members of the carriage, allowing for selective movement of the forks without altering the carriage dimensions or visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If detachable fork positioners are mounted on existing lift truck carriages, then fork positioning capability is added to existing carriages, but the carriage dimensions increase, reducing load-carrying capacity or impairing operator visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefork positioning capabilityVSAvoidcarriage dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fork positioner components are nested within the carriage structure by mounting the piston and cylinder assemblies between the upper and lower transverse members, utilizing the existing internal space of the carriage rather than adding external protrusions. This allows the fork positioning capability to be integrated without increasing the overall carriage dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from external side-shifting mechanisms that increase horizontal dimensions to a vertical arrangement where piston and cylinder assemblies are mounted between upper and lower transverse members. This dimensional reorganization allows the fork positioner to fit within the existing vertical envelope of the carriage without expanding horizontal boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If detachable fork positioners are mounted on existing lift truck carriages, then fork positioning capability is added to existing carriages, but operator visibility is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefork positioning capabilityVSAvoidoperator visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fork positioner components are nested within the carriage structure by mounting the piston and cylinder assemblies between the upper and lower transverse members, utilizing the existing internal space of the carriage rather than adding external protrusions. This allows the fork positioning capability to be integrated without increasing the overall carriage dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from external side-shifting mechanisms that increase horizontal dimensions to a vertical arrangement where piston and cylinder assemblies are mounted between upper and lower transverse members. This dimensional reorganization allows the fork positioner to fit within the existing vertical envelope of the carriage without expanding horizontal boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If integral fork positioners are incorporated into newly-manufactured carriages, then fork positioning capability is provided, but the device complexity and mounting difficulty increase for existing carriages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefork positioning capabilityVSAvoidmounting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fork positioner is segmented into modular components including piston and cylinder assemblies, guide members, and fork-engaging elements that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together. This modular segmentation simplifies the mounting process on existing carriages by allowing components to be installed in discrete steps rather than requiring complex integrated assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The piston and cylinder assemblies serve multiple functions: they provide the driving force for fork positioning, act as structural support elements, and integrate with the existing carriage mounting points. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall mounting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7909563B2Fork positioner

Publication Date: 2011.03.22 CASCADE CORPORATION

AI summary

A fork positioner, usable alternatively either as an attachment to an existing load-lifting carriage with forks, or as part of the original equipment of a load-lifting carriage, has a pair of elongate hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies mountable in an interconnected parallel relationship between an upper transverse fork-supporting member and a lower transverse member of the carriage. Each of a pair of fork-positioning guide members has a fork-engagement surface movable by a respective piston and cylinder assembly and connectable thereto so that the fork-engaging surfaces face substantially perpendicularly away from an imaginary plane containing the respective longitudinal axes of the piston and cylinder assemblies. An exemplary carriage mounting the fork positioner is also disclosed.